Amarillo to be city of ‘Ranch Rodeos’: WRCA-sanctioned event added to ANC slate
The former home of Lee and Mary Bivins was once again filled with real cowboys, sporting cowboy boots, hats, belts and even a leather tie in one instance, Wednesday evening for a special announcement from West Texas Ranch Rodeo.
For the second time, the West Texas Ranch Rodeo (WTRR) will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8 and 9 in the Range Riders Arena. But in April 2024, it will be held in the Amarillo National Center (ANC). In fact, the ANC will be the host of spring, summer and fall major league ranch rodeos, with events now scheduled in April, June and November at the venue.
Among benefits of having an additional ANC rodeo for cowboys and fans, the city of Amarillo will enjoy tremendous monetary benefits from lodging, dining and entertainment including shopping during the event.
Randy Whipple, treasurer for the WRCA (Working Ranch Cowboys Association) and Lane Provence, chairman of WTRR, made the announcement of the additional rodeo sanctioned by WRCA to be hosted by the Amarillo National Center at the Tri-State Fairgrounds.
A Working Ranch Rodeo is unique in that competitors have to prove “they actually make their living working cattle in order to put steak on our plates,” according to Whipple. Each team is certified by WRCA and must adhere to rules of the World Championship Ranch Rodeo. This rodeo is sponsored by the Amarillo Convention and Visitors Bureau and Modelo.
Youth teams will have ranching kids up to 16 years old to create a team of five members, which can cumulatively add up to less than 66 years. Each team may be certified by the WRCA and adhere to rules of Youth World Championship Ranch Rodeo. The youth rodeo is presented by Oliver Saddle shop of Amarillo.
More spectators will be able to attend with the rodeo indoors. More teams will be included in the rodeo, and ancillary events, such as horse shoeing, horse tank golfing, calf fries and craft competitions, can be accommodated. Announcements will be made as soon as arrangements are determined.
According to Whipple and Provence, the adult rodeo will be a 2-go WRCA-sanctioned rodeo featuring 14 working ranch teams, making Amarillo into a Rodeo Town. A 2-go rodeo features a team that will compete in each event twice, once on Friday night and then on Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. The points and times from each performance are combined to get placings.
Along with the adult rodeo will be a Youth Rodeo (single go) and 14 youth teams slated on Saturday morning of April 27, 2024.
Moving to the Amarillo National Center will allow the rodeo to add other ancillary events, such as including more teams to the rodeos and including contests in horse shoeing, horse tank golfing, calf frying, craft competition and more.
The schedule for the upcoming West Texas Ranch Rodeo to be at Will Rogers Range Riders Arena this weekend includes the following:
Friday night (14 teams)
5-10:30 p.m.: Vendors, food trucks, beer sales
6:30-6:55 p.m.: Judges, adult (rules) in arena
7-10:30 p.m.: Adult First Round Rodeo
Saturday Youth Rodeo Event (11 Teams)
8 a.m.-1 p.m.: Vendors, food trucks
8-8:55 a.m.: Judges youth (rules) in arena
9 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Youth WRCA Qualifier Rodeo
12:15-12:45 p.m.: Youth Awards in Pavilion
Saturday Adult Rodeo Event Schedule (14 Teams)
5-11 p.m.: Vendors, food trucks, beer sales
5:30 p.m.: Team pictures in Arena
6:30-6:55 p.m.: Judges adult (rules) in arena
7-10:30 p.m.: Adult 2nd Round Rodeo
10:30-11 p.m.: Adult awards in arena
For more information, call Lane Provence at 806-570-8983.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: West Texas Ranch Rodeo added to WRCA, Amarillo National Center lineup
